In response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico, the University of Central Florida will allow students who are residents of Puerto Rico, and are displaced from their homes, to qualify for in-state tuition.In response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico, the University of Central Florida will allow students who are residents of Puerto Rico, and are displaced from their homes, to qualify for in-state tuition. (UCF Image)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – In response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico, the University of Central Florida will allow students who are residents of Puerto Rico, and are displaced from their homes, to qualify for in-state tuition.

The UCF Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday morning to allow these students to be eligible for in-state tuition.

“This is a compassionate way to help our students, and I fully support it,” UCF President John C. Hitt said.

John C. Hitt

UCF is supporting Gov. Rick Scott’s commitment to help Puerto Rico recover from Maria. In a Sept. 26 letter, Gov. Scott encouraged Florida universities and state colleges to “allow any student who has been displaced from their home in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria to be eligible for in-state tuition.”

As of Sept. 27, about 120 UCF students list their residencies as being in Puerto Rico and are eligible for in-state tuition rates this semester and in the spring 2018 semester. Additional semesters will be addressed by the Board of Trustees in the future.

Said UCF Board of Trustees Chairman Marcos Marchena: “This sends a very strong message about the governor’s commitment and this board’s commitment to assist our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”

UCF will soon contact eligible students about this new option. Students with questions can call the UCF Registrar’s Office at 407-823-5510.